3D printing initiative from Cyber Streets will add masks for Beebe staff
Beebe Healthcare will begin printing masks for staff thanks to a donation of a 3D printer from Cyber Streets.
Cyber Streets, a nonprofit organization that aims at educating communities about cybersecurity and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) opportunities has been working with its members across Kent and Sussex to create masks for their first responders and medical workers. The group was founded by Rob Bentley, who also is Beebe’s IT Security Manager and member of the Sussex County STEM Alliance.
The prototype is supplements an N-95 mask with a replaceable filter for frontline staff to use in the event of a shortage during a surge. It was recently fit tested and approved by Beebe’s Infection Prevention team. Depending on the size of the mask, one 3D printer can produce roughly six or more masks a day per printer. The Cyber Streets network has already supplied and/or activated 10-plus printers to its members across both counties of which most are using it for their home school programs while practicing social distancing.
“These are extraordinary times for all of us. In response to our national shortage of PPE, we are harnessing common technologies, in an uncommon way, in collaboration with an extraordinary and generous community to protect Beebe Healthcare’s team,” said Mike Maksymow, chief Information officer, Beebe Healthcare and chairman of the Sussex County STEM Alliance. “This also serves as a great example of demonstrating to our children the importance of creative thinking and how STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) is applied to overcome real-world problems and obstacles.”
Bentley and Cyber Streets/Sussex County STEM Alliance community have already donated 30-plus masks to frontline medical staff. Bentley said his goal is to deploy its multi-use masks to be quickly interchanged with varying resources as they continue to run scarce while partnering with several well-known organizations locally and nationally.
Their current goal is on track to have the community manufacture and donate at least 700 masks by mid-May or sooner as long as they continue to maintain the materials needed through dwindling supply chains.
WSFS puts 100 to work to process Paycheck Protection applications
WSFS Bank reports it has received a large volume of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications.
“We are working hard to process them and assist our customers as quickly as possible. We assembled a team of more than 100 associates to focus solely on processing PPP applications. A WSFS representative will be in contact with you once your application has been processed. We have always done our best to deliver for you before, please be assured we are doing our best to deliver for you again,” the company stated in a social media post.
Bloom Energy looking for more ventilators.
The fuel cell company, as of this week, has refurbished nearly 1,000 ventilators at its production sites in northern California and Newark.
A Bloom engineer came up with a way to quickly refurbish the ventilators after others said the makeover process would be lengthy.
Ventilators share some of the basics of systems used in Bloom’s fuel cells.
Ventilators in Delaware, California and elsewhere were pulled out of stockpiles and warehouses.
The machines take over breathing for critically ill coronavirus patients and have been in short supply.
Bloom has entered into a partnership with a logistics company to get the machines to its plants as well as emergency managers and hospitals.
Medical personnel, fire responders get meals from Charcoal Pit, Columbus Inn
Capano Management’s restaurant affiliates Columbus Inn and Charcoal Pit are working with hospitals as well as fire and police agencies to provide 50-plus meals per day to their staffs.
“It’s important for us to show appreciation to those on the frontline of this pandemic,” said Louis Capano III, Capano Management CEO. “Since we have the infrastructure, equipment and personnel to set up our Hometown Heroes food delivery initiative, we are glad to help out in any way we can.”
To date, delivery locations include St. Francis Hospital, Christiana Care COVID-19 Units in Wilmington as well as police and fire departments.
Morgan Burns of Capano Management has been coordinating the program, working with State Rep. Mike Ramone to expand the network of local first responders receiving food deliveries. “It’s been a privilege to work with the amazing people who protect and support our communities,” she said.
For more information or to inquire about being included in the Hometown Heroes program, please contact Burns at mburns@capanoinc.com.
